A forest fire near the village of Uspenka in Russia’s Tyumen region has spread to residential areas, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of many people. 74 emergency personnel, 2 firefighting helicopters, and numerous fire trucks were initially dispatched to the area, but the fire quickly got out of control with the wind and spread to 13 houses. An additional 4 helicopters and 50 personnel were sent to help contain the blaze.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia has reported that 79 people from the village, 45 elderly people from a nearby nursing home, and 370 children from a disability rehabilitation center were safely evacuated. The fire, which started in a 45-hectare area, has since spread to over 3,600 hectares, and efforts to control it continue.
TR